The Bitter Orange

Saadia grows up in an old house with a strict father and a caring mother, living a simple, repetitive daily routine. Each day she accompanies her friend Aouatef to the bitter orange groves, clinging to small rituals that give her ordinary life a spark. She learns that marmalade can transform sweetness from the fruit's bitterness.

In the groves, Saadia and Aouatef gather fruit that most people dislike, turning neglect into a quiet ritual. She imagines the eventual sweetness of marmalade as the oranges are peeled and prepared. The routine anchors her days with a hint of promise.

A young policeman named Amine appears as Saadia reaches through the branches. He tries to dissuade her from picking, explaining that the fruit is bitter and unfit for consumption. When she mentions marmalade, he listens with curiosity, a new feeling taking root in him.

Saadia's attachment to Amine grows quickly as she imagines him as the husband she has dreamed of—handsome, kind, and a balance of authority and warmth. The feeling lingers in her thoughts and letters, shaping her days. For Amine, the moment is a fleeting impression, nothing more at first.

With help from her cousin, Saadia writes a letter pouring out her emotions and dream of marrying Amine. She sends it hoping to bridge the gap between desire and reality, turning private longing into a public confession. The act marks a turning point in her story.

The letter arrives after Amine has already become engaged to another woman. The wedding celebrations begin, and Saadia's cherished dream collapses in a moment of public joy she cannot share. The contrast deepens the ache of her unrequited love.

Overwhelmed by the revelation, Saadia collapses under the weight of heartbreak. She drifts along a winding path toward an unknown future, her routines stripped away and her heart tethered to a memory she cannot reach. The memory of Amine becomes both torment and a fragile comfort.

One day, Saadia wanders along a public road, aimless and vulnerable, when a car strikes her and life comes to a sudden halt. She lies injured on the roadside as the world continues around her and time seems to stretch endlessly. The accident marks a brutal turn in her already fragile life.

Amine, now older and graying, finds Saadia unconscious and rushes her to the hospital. The reunion of past longing and the immediacy of crisis creates a poignant, almost fateful, moment. He acts as both protector and witness to the girl he once barely knew.

In the hospital, Amine discovers the letter that his mother had kept hidden. He learns of Saadia's steadfast love for him and realizes how late he is to return that feeling. The revelation deepens the tragedy tying their fates together.

The story lingers as a memory suspended between the bitterness of orange marmalade and the dream of a faithful, handsome husband. Saadia's longing remains vivid even as happiness seems out of reach. The tale ends with the weight of missed chances carried through time.